Former NBA star Delonte West insists he’s “OK” and says he’s actively looking for a job following a viral video that spread last week, showing him panhandling on the side of the road in Virginia. More inside…
Over the years, former NBA star Delonte West – who played with LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers – has struggled with drug and substance abuse (as well as bipolar disorder), including throughout his eight-year career in the league where he played for the Mavericks, Celtics, Cavaliers and Seattle SuperSonics.
Over the last few years, it appeared he was on the up and up. Earlier this year, he tried out for Ice Cube’s BIG3 league, so folks thought he was getting himself together. That may not be the case.
Last week, a video of the former Mavericks player emerged online where he’s seemingly panhandling for a few dollars on a street in Alexandria, Virginia. Fans took a video of him asking for money and posted it online:
Delonte West says he’s ok and is between jobs after a video of him panhandling in Virginia last week went viral pic.twitter.com/J45OnDREKz
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) June 22, 2022
Photogs from The Image Direct caught up with the 38-year-old former NBA player – the 24th overall pick by the Celtics in the 2004 NBA Draft – to ask him about the viral video.
“It is what it is,” Delonte said about the viral clip. “I got children. I’m in between jobs. People can help me as much as they can, but you know, as a man I gotta do what I gotta do for my babies,” said the father-of-two.
In 2020, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tracked Delonte West down after he went viral for panhandling and the “Shark Tank” star was able to convince Delonte to enter rehab. In October 2021, Delonte reportedly relapsed and was arrested outside of a Florida police department.
Looks who’s trying out pic.twitter.com/xoWV0dxpYU
— BIG3 (@thebig3) March 12, 2022
Following his arrest, the NBA guard popped up in viral videos working out in the gym, gearing up to compete in Ice Cube’s BIG3 league.
Check out his tryout video clip below:
A source told the Daily Mail that Delonte “no showed” the league’s May 25th draft. It’s unclear why he didn’t show up.
Every team got what they needed tonight. Can’t wait til June 18th…@thebig3 @BIG3Ownership pic.twitter.com/XW5fcrQo2b
— Ice Cube (@icecube) May 26, 2022
As for not making it to the BIG3, Delonte said there were so many talented players fighting for a spot in the league that he understood why he didn’t make it. However, he was thankful for the opportunity to tryout.
”I was excited to have the opportunity,” the former NBA baller said, “I’ll be there next season. I’ll be there rooting guys on.”
Please say a prayer for #delontewest i told him alot of people are praying for him @tkradio @ClarendonBros @Holdenradio pic.twitter.com/yJTsNN2HRd
— Marky Mark (@DCCelebrity) June 19, 2022
Despite what he has gone through, he’s still optimistic that he can make a return to the NBA as coaching staff.
“I’m always involved in the game I love. Last year, I was scouting for the Dallas Mavericks and the previous three years, I was an NBA scout for the Boston Celtics. I was actually looking forward to being a head coach or assistant coach in the NBA this season but like I said, it’s a business that have a lot of people involved and wanna stay involved.”
He continued, “Prayerfully, luckily I’ll be up for discussion this upcoming season.”
Peep his interview below:
We’re rooting for him!
Photo: AP
